Adobe FrameMaker

Adobe FrameMaker is an advanced document processor aimed to provide professional users with all the necessary tools for writing, editing, and preparing for the publishing of large and complex documents, structured documents, and newspaper/magazine material.

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Adobe FrameMaker is the recognized industry-standard application for creating and distributing multilingual technical content on various platforms, including mobile devices, web browsers, desktop computers, and printed materials.

It seamlessly handles both unstructured and structured content within a single document, enhancing your efficiency. Leveraging its advanced XML/DITA capabilities, you can work more efficiently and intelligently.

It empowers you to publish your content in various formats, such as Responsive HTML5, Mobile Apps, PDFs, EPUBs, and more.

After more than two decades on the market, ithas managed to become one of the most trusted apps for handling complex structured and unstructured documents, with many powerful features that enable modern communicators to create eye-catching and functional PDF and HTML5 files, documents that embed the latest XML/DITA authoring technologies, and countless tools and services aimed to boost productivity, collaboration, and streamlined publishing.

The core feature of Adobe FrameMaker 2024 is its ability to handle large structured documents that can adapt to the current needs of both the writers and readers and easily handle the deployment of incredibly large documents (for example technical manuals) in industries where a single document has to provide support to several very similar products (aerospace, pharmaceutical or engineering industries).

The app hosts powerful metadata tools, direct XML/DITA integration, and streamlined UI that can easily host both novices and professionals.

Powered by a 64-bit architecture, Adobe FrameMaker is more than capable to handle even the largest documents you can imagine, with no limits of how many images, advanced effects, high-quality imports, and other enhancements you can put into your document.

The app also promotes the use of transparent images, one-click image resizing, fast compiling into any supported format (with interactive real-time progress bar), a built-in dictionary and spell-checking support, interactive HTML5 dialogs, support for modern WEbP image format, encrypted PDFs, several visual themes for easier icon recognition, an intuitive welcome screen that promotes direct access to templates, faster performance (both during installation, setup and real-world work), and much more.

It was originally introduced to the public in 1986 by Frame Technology Corporation, which was purchased by Adobe in 1995.

Between its conception and today, the app received 15 major updates that greatly expanded the capabilities of this application and made it viable as one of the most competent and widely used advanced document processors on the market.

Some of the most notable upgrades it received throughout the years were the introduction of 3D objects and Flash elements in 2007, a brand-new UI, several productivity enhancements, and enhanced PDF support in 2009, enhanced DITA/XML/video editing support, and new content management system in 2011, a native XML code view and comprehensive DITA support in 2012, multichannel/multidevice publishing, MathML support and Dropbox integration in 2014, full right-to-left language support for Hebrew and Arabic, multi-device publishing, iOS and Android support in 2015, 4K support, new project manager, new HTML5 layouts, and more in 2017 and complete app revamp with fast 64-bit architecture in 2018.

The latest version of Adobe FrameMaker can be purchased via a monthly subscription, a permanent full license, and an upgrade license for owners of older visions. In addition to these premium versions, a fully-featured version of the program can be tested for FREE in a 30-day trial.

What`s New

Right-Indent for Last Line (New)
Ensure the visibility of numbers positioned at the extreme right of lists or tables of contents by utilizing the last line's right-indent feature.

Bookwide Page Numbering (New)
Streamline the process of page number setup by inserting a book-level variable that automatically displays the total number of pages in the entire book when updated.

Effortless Variable Highlighting (New)
Easily distinguish variables from regular content by highlighting all variables in a document with a single click, simplifying authoring tasks.

Custom Object Style Tags (New)
Enhance document consistency by saving frequently used object properties as styles and seamlessly replacing existing Object Style tags as required.

UUID File Referencing Support (New)
Experience improved support for authoring and publishing content in Adobe Experience Manager Guides as a cloud service, utilizing a UUID-based file referencing system. Maintain references even when files are relocated due to the flat hierarchy.

Enhanced Adobe Experience Manager Connector (New)
Enjoy a 10X boost in speed when managing FrameMaker documents through the Adobe Experience Manager connector, with improved performance for check-in, check-out, and cancel check-out operations.

Enhanced Image Quality (Enhanced)
Guarantee the highest image quality in HTML5 output and non-web formats like .bmp and .tiff.

Improved Graphic Objects in PDF (Enhanced)
Publish PDFs natively that incorporate high-quality graphic objects such as dashed lines, arcs, shapes, curves, and more.

Up to 65% Faster File Performance
Save time with performance enhancements that significantly speed up the processes of opening and publishing files to PDF or Responsive HTML5.

Powerful 64-Bit Architecture
Boost performance significantly with the 64-bit architecture. Work effortlessly with large, complex XML and non-XML content, thanks to improved memory management and a larger memory space.

Main Features

Structured Authoring: It supports XML and DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) for structured authoring, making it easy to create and manage content with a consistent structure.

Rich Formatting Tools: Users can take advantage of a wide array of formatting tools for text, tables, graphics, and more to create visually appealing documents.

Multi-Channel Publishing: It allows users to publish content in multiple formats, including PDF, HTML5, EPUB, and more, ensuring content accessibility across various devices and platforms.

Conditional Text: You can create content variations within a single document, making it easy to customize content for different audiences or product versions.

Content Reuse: FrameMaker's content management capabilities enable efficient reuse of content components across documents, reducing redundancy and improving consistency.

MathML Support: It offers native support for MathML, which is essential for documents containing mathematical equations and formulas.

Collaborative Workflow: It integrates with Adobe Experience Manager for collaborative authoring and review processes, streamlining teamwork on large-scale projects.

User Interface

It features a clean and intuitive user interface that is tailored to the needs of technical writers and content creators. The interface is highly customizable, allowing users to arrange panels, toolbars, and menus according to their preferences.

The layout is well-organized, with easy access to commonly used features such as formatting options, document structure, and publishing settings. However, newcomers to the software may find the interface somewhat overwhelming due to its extensive feature set.

Installation and Setup

Installing the software is a straightforward process. Users can download it from Adobe's website and follow the installation wizard, which guides you through the necessary steps.

You'll need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription or a standalone license for FrameMaker, which can be purchased from Adobe's website or authorized resellers.

How to Use

Creating a New Document: Start by creating a new document and choosing a template that suits your project's needs.

Structured Authoring: If you're working with structured content, define your document's structure using XML or DITA. This helps maintain consistency and facilitates content reuse.

Formatting Content: Use FrameMaker's formatting tools to style text, create tables, and insert images. The software offers precise control over the appearance of your document.

Conditional Text: Employ conditional text tags to create content variations within the same document, allowing you to target different audiences or product versions.

Content Reuse: Take advantage of the content management features to reuse text, graphics, and other elements across multiple documents.

Review and Collaboration: Collaborate with team members using Adobe Experience Manager integration for efficient review and editing.

Publishing: Finally, use FrameMaker's publishing options to generate documents in various formats, such as PDF, HTML5, or EPUB.

FAQ

What is the pricing for Adobe FrameMaker?
Adobe FrameMaker is available through subscription pricing, with monthly and annual plans. Prices may vary, so it's best to check Adobe's website for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Can I try Adobe FrameMaker before purchasing?
Yes, Adobe offers a free trial of the app on their website, allowing you to explore its features and functionality before committing to a subscription or purchase.

Is FrameMaker suitable for small businesses and independent authors?
While FrameMaker is a robust solution, it may be overkill for small businesses or independent authors with simpler documentation needs. Adobe offers other document creation tools, such as Adobe InDesign, which may be more suitable.

Does FrameMaker support collaboration with team members?
Yes, it supports collaboration through integration with Adobe Experience Manager, enabling teams to work together on complex document projects.

Can I import content from other document authoring tools into FrameMaker?
Yes, it supports importing content from various file formats, including Microsoft Word, HTML, and XML, making it easy to transition existing content into the software.

Alternatives

Microsoft Word: For general document creation needs, Microsoft Word remains a popular choice with a user-friendly interface.

InDesign: Adobe's own InDesign is a great alternative for desktop publishing, especially for marketing materials and magazines.

Microsoft Publisher: Create polished, professional layouts without the hassle!

QuarkXPress: Award-winning design and layout tool for print and digital publishing.

Affinity Publisher: The next generation of professional publishing software!

Pricing

Yearly Plan

Billed monthly US$39.99/mo (US$479.88/yr)

Includes:

Adobe Creative Community
Get learn content, tutorials, a portfolio website, and more.

Behance
Showcase and discover creative work, and connect with the creative community.

PROS

• Robust support for structured and unstructured content.
• Extensive formatting and publishing options.
• Collaboration features via Adobe Experience Manager.
• Content reuse and conditional text support.
• Rich formatting tools and MathML support.

CONS

• Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners.
• May be overkill for simple documentation needs.
• Subscription-based pricing may not be suitable for all users.

Conclusion

All in all, Adobe FrameMaker is a top-tier desktop publishing and authoring software designed for professionals and organizations with complex documentation requirements. Its extensive feature set, support for structured content, and multi-channel publishing capabilities make it a go-to choice for industries that demand precision and consistency in their documents.

While it may have a learning curve for newcomers, those willing to invest time and effort into mastering FrameMaker will find it to be a powerful tool for creating and managing long-format, technical documents.

Before committing to a subscription, it's advisable to explore the free trial to ensure it aligns with your specific needs. Ultimately, it stands as a reliable and versatile solution for the demanding world of document creation and publishing.

Note: 30 days trial version.